The joy that Fr. Al reflected throughout his life as a priest reflects the vision from the book of Revelation when John “heard a voice from the heavens” say to him: ‘Write this down: Happy now are the dead who die in the Lord!’”

Since departing to volunteer in Cameroon in April 2012, the Precious Blood community has remained foremost in my thinking. What were striking images for me when I first joined the community—“the cry of the blood,” and “a thousand tongues”—became second nature, particularly the Precious Blood focus to maintain the space at the foot of the cross where suffering is the daily reality.